In need of nourishing food? We would love to see you during those hours. Signing up is easy, so please come over.

Our motto is “Feed the Community you want to live in.”

Maria Seymour Brooker was a devoted mother known in the community for her great love of all children.  She was an early crusader of child and family supports, human services and open space for children to play. Early programs at Brooker Memorial included housing for local nurses, a day nursery, orphanage and playground for children. Current programs continue in the tradition of service to children.

Cathy earned an Associate’s Degree from Northwestern CT Community College followed by a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Services Administration with honors from Providence College. She received her MBA from the University of Connecticut. Prior to joining Brooker Memorial in 2004, Cathy was the Executive Director at the YWCA of New Britain.

Cathy has more than 30 years of non-profit experience, including 20 in executive leadership roles. She enjoys working in a children’s organization where there is a smiling face around every corner. She also enjoys working with volunteers and likes the ever-changing challenges and opportunities of managing the organization. Her outside interests include running, hiking, traveling, flower gardening and cooking. She and her husband have two sons, the oldest is enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.

Brooker Memorial Family Support and Education networks with a variety of organizations to identify unmet needs of children and families. Since 1918, Brooker has developed programs through partnerships reflective of the times and needs of our community “to prepare children for life-long success through innovative programs and services in health and education.” Click on any of the links below to find out more information:

• Relatives as Parents Program (RAPP)
• Dental Outreach
• Blood Pressure & Senior Health
• The Ruth Chadwick Care Closet
• Community Resources

Brooker’s Client Support and Program Coordinator works within a variety of community networks to keep abreast of local needs. If you know of an unmet need that should be explored, feel free to contact our Client Support and Program Coordinator at 860-489-1328 ext 129.

Our strategic framework directs the foundation’s focus towards the underlying conditions impacting health – external factors such as our homes, schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods which create opportunities for health and well-being. From this framework, the foundation has identified three priority areas which we direct the foundation’s financial and human resources towards: 

Prime Time House provides local adults living with a serious mental illness an opportunity to connect with a community of support which enables them to focus on their mental wellness.  We offer programs designed to empower individuals to lead productive, independent, and healthy lives. These programs include the Prime Time Clubhouse, Career Services Supported Employment, Next Steps Supportive Housing, and Homeless Prevention Program.

U.S. Hispanics are ahead of the curve when it comes to digital. They lead in adoption of new devices. They are power users of mobile and over-index in video consumption. But despite the facts, these consumers are vastly under-served, and the opportunities to reach them through digital remain largely untapped.

The Mid-Hudson Valley region has become increasingly diverse, with all racial and ethnic groups experiencing growth since 2000. Between 2000 and 2014, minority populations in the three-county region grew at greater rates than they did nationally and statewide (excluding NYC). Hispanic residents in the region grew 82%, and were the largest minority group in the region, with 15% of total residents.

Latinos are a fundamental component to business success. They have amassed significant buying power and have experienced rapid population growth. In the MHV, more than 122,000 Hispanics reside in the three coun-ties of Ulster, Orange and Dutchess, with a combined purchasing power of $2.89 billion.

at THE CENTER ON MAIN, HOME TO THE FALLS VILLAGE CHILDREN'S THEATER AND MORE!

To foster a sense of creative discipline, to promote the pride of accomplishment and to engender a lifelong love of learning by establishing an environment where the arts can be viewed as something pliable, accessible and available to everyone and to utilize the talents of volunteers in the community and the guidance of professionals to introduce children to all aspects of the performing arts through active participation in a series of creative programs.

Ms. Heaton has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation for Community Health (FCH) since February, 2004.  Previously, she served as Executive Director of the Northwestern Connecticut AIDS Project, an HIV/AIDS service organization serving Litchfield County.  In 1991-1992 she worked with the Southeast Asian Family Empowerment Project in Chelsea, Massachusetts, as a community prevention specialist.  There, she developed outreach and parent education programs for Vietnamese and Cambodian families in the greater Boston area.  From 1987-1990 Ms. Heaton served as project coordinator at the Health Education and Training Center in San Jose, where she developed and implemented the first AIDS/HIV education and prevention project for the Latino community of Santa Clara County.  She also coordinated a training project for Home Health Aides and Certified Nursing Assistants. 

In early 1987 she served as a health educator at the San Jose Day Nursery in San Jose while completing a graduate student internship.  From 1982-1985 Ms. Heaton worked for the International Alliance for Children, an organization based in both Connecticut and the Philippines, serving as the director of field operations in Manila.  In that capacity, she managed a home for abandoned, orphaned and neglected children with a variety of physical and emotional problems.  Ms. Heaton served as chair of the Litchfield County HIV Care Consortium and as a member of the statewide HIV Care Consortium.  She is currently a member of the American Public Health Association and a Member of the Connecticut Commission on Women, Children and Seniors. 

Ms. Heaton received certification in non-profit management from the University of Connecticut in 1998 and an AIDS Educator Certificate from the Connecticut Department of Public Health in 1993.  She received a Masters of Public Health in Community Health Education from San Jose State University in 1988 and a BA in Government and Law from Lafayette College in 1982.

The mission of Greenwoods Counseling & Referrals is to ensure swift, affordable access to quality mental healthcare, regardless of ability to pay, for individuals and families living and working in Litchfield County.

John Simoncelli is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor. He holds Master’s Degrees in Social Work and Public Administration from the University of Connecticut. John is a practicing mental health therapist and addiction specialist. He is the Director of Authentic Recovery, LLC, a private practice group he established in 2014. John joined Greenwoods at the Executive Director in 2017. As a lifelong resident of Litchfield County, John cares deeply about his community and is committed to improving access to mental health treatment. John is a member of the Executive Committee of the Litchfield County Opiate Task Force and is passionate about educating the public concerning the connection between trauma, addiction, and other mental health issues.

In addition to his administrative duties, John continues to carry a small caseload of clients. He specializes in the treatment of trauma and addiction, and uses a number of modalities including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), and Motivational Interviewing. He believes that a truly genuine therapeutic experience is essential for positive change to occur.

Help is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Trained Susan B. Anthony Project counselors are available to help you stay safe—physically and emotionally. All of Susan B. Anthony Project’s crisis services are free and confidential. Call our 24-hour crisis line for immediate help

Jeanne FuscoExecutive Directorjfusco@sbaproject.org

I’ve been at Susan B. Anthony Project since 1994. I know how hard it is for someone to pick up the phone and call us or step in for service. My daily interactions with survivors remind me of their strength and the importance of holding a safe space for those who are seeking support. That brave first step allows healing to begin and motivates me in my work each day.

Adopt a Family for the Holidays

Help make the 2021 holiday season special for our clients by adopting a family for the holidays!

For the safety of donors, clients, and staff, we will continue with our modified program this year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We will not be able to accept physical gifts at this time. If you are interested in adopting an individual or family, we are requesting donations that are monetary and / or gift cards (in $25 increments).  Check out all the details here.

Bloomin’ 4 Good & Community Bag Program

For the entire month of November, each time a shopper purchases the $10.99 Bloomin’ 4 Good Bouquet with the red circle sticker or the $2.50 reusable Community Bag at the Stop & Shop store located at 931 Torringford Street, Torrington, CT, $1 is donated to SBAP. Thank you!

A Message from the Chief Executive Office

Thank you for taking the time to visit our site and learn about the wonderful things we do for the communities we serve.

Joanne Borduas

I am honored to be the CEO of an organization where people come to work with a pride and determination to deliver quality health care with a “patient first” philosophy that strives to meet the diversified needs of both our patients and the communities we serve.

​As a company, we continue to build on innovation, creativity, and technological advances to better serve our communities. For years to come, we will continue to uphold our longstanding values of patient-centered care, entrepreneurial leadership, teamwork and integrity.

We will be here for you and we will always be reminded of our special responsibility to make people and communities healthy, whether it be in our day-to-day business or in times of crisis.

Sincerely,
Joanne Borduas 
Chief Executive Officer

Our Mission

Community Health & Wellness Center (CHWC) is committed to keeping communities healthy. In a compassionate, high quality and patient-centered environment, services are accessible and provided without discrimination, with cultural competence, and where all people matter regardless of their ability to pay. Through coalitions, advocacy and sound fiscal management, these services will be sustained over time. 

Our Vision
​
CHWC will offer and continue to develop a range of healthcare services for the underserved throughout northwest Connecticut. It will achieve the reputation of provider of choice for affordable, high quality services that achieve positive patient outcomes. A welcoming and caring environment will be experienced by all patients and their families.

​An organizational culture will exist that attracts and retains skilled, dedicated employees. Sound fiscal management practices will ensure long-term viability. CHWC will collaborate and advocate with other organizations to increase the region’s capacity to meet health and wellness needs. 

The essence of our organization exists in our human spirit – the spirit and passion of those that serve and the spirit and determination of those who accept our services. We are dedicated to raising awareness of our cause and serving those in need. In this section, you will find all that you need to know about our people, mission, history and frequently asked questions. If you want to learn more about our organization, just follow the links for more information. It’s extremely important to us that you get to know more so that you feel comfortable working with us. Once you take the time to find out what we’re all about, we are confident you will want to be engaged with the Community Action Partnership for Dutchess County.

Our Mission

The mission of the Community Action Partnership for Dutchess County is to partner with individuals and families to eliminate poverty and identify the resources and opportunities available to them to enhance their self-reliance.

Our Vision

The Community Action Partnership for Dutchess County will lead the community by being the “go-to” place for issues affecting low-income residents. The organization will serve as a valued community resource by providing high-quality services, maintaining a knowledgeable and committed staff, and demonstrating strong and responsible leadership.

History

We have been a vital part of Dutchess County for a number of years. We were founded to serve a growing segment of our community in need of inaccessible services. We have continued to grow with the help of our donors and volunteers that make our mission possible. Through all these years our purpose still remains the same: bring services to those in need.
Click HERE to download the full history of the Community Action Partnership for Dutchess County!

Our Values

• To inspire the belief that positive change is possible
• To provide all services and activities with dignity and respect through a strength based approach
• To empower low-income individuals seeking greater economic self-reliance
• To be aware of and responsive to the needs of the community
• To be economically sustainable, fiscally sound and mission driven
• To maximize our effectiveness through internal and external collaboration

U.S. Hispanics are ahead of the curve when it comes to digital. They lead in adoption of new devices. They are power users of mobile and over-index in video consumption. But despite the facts, these consumers are vastly under-served, and the opportunities to reach them through digital remain largely untapped.

Enrique Rob Lunski

The Mid-Hudson Valley region has become increasingly diverse, with all racial and ethnic groups experiencing growth since 2000. Between 2000 and 2014, minority populations in the three-county region grew at greater rates than they did nationally and statewide (excluding NYC). Hispanic residents in the region grew 82%, and were the largest minority group in the region, with 15% of total residents.

ABCLATINO USES ITS RESOURCES TO HELP YOUR BUSINESS. OUR BI-LINGUAL DIGITAL EDITION –  REACHING 8,600 HOUSEHOLDS, 3X/MONTH, IN THE HUDSON VALLEY, AND RE-BROADCAST BY OUR PARTNERS TO ANOTHER 4-6K, PLUS SOCIAL MEDIA. ABCLATINO CAN ALSO HELP YOU DESIGN YOUR AD AND MESSAGE IN SPANISH AND CREATE MULTIMEDIA CONTENT. ALL ADS INCLUDE LINKS TO WEB SITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES AS WELL AS VIDEOS AND AUDIO.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR MEDIA KIT

• “Catholic Charities Community Services of Dutchess County strives to build a more just and caring Dutchess County by providing comprehensive high quality human services to our neighbors of all religions, particularly the poor and vulnerable.”
• “Catholic Charities Community Services collaborates with generous volunteers, parishes and both Catholic and non-Catholic partners, to serve struggling families, the hungry, those in danger of losing their homes, immigrants, youth, those with disabilities and others in need.”

The Kinship Circles of Support Groups provides a space for immigrant women to build connections to the community and to learn how to navigate life in the United States. The mission is for that space to be a place of growth, development of friendships, and support from community members. The groups of women meet regularly either through Zoom or in-person to talk and learn about new programs, resources and participate in many different activities at the Kinship meeting sites.
The groups invite presenters from local community agencies to provide information in the areas related to: •Personal and family health •Achieving your life goals •Navigating local school systems •Improving wellness and nutrition •Increasing access to local health resources

•Learning Leadership Skills. Groups meet in Millerton, Dover Plains, Millbrook and are continuing to expand within the Northeast Dutchess County corridor in New York. Programs are currently delivered in Spanish.
This program is coordinated by Rosa Gomez, a A respected colleague, community
advocate and Case Manager for the Hispanic community in Dutchess County, through Catholic Charities Community Services of Dutchess County. Members of the program are also involved in coordinating some projects and selecting the topics based on needs within the group. This program is funded by the Foundation of Community Health.
For more information visit https://catholiccharities-dutchesscounty.org/

Catholic Charities Community Services of Dutchess County (CCCSDC) helps solve the problems of local individuals in need: the neglected child, the homeless family, the newly arrived immigrant or refugee, the hungry senior, or the newly unemployed for non-Catholics and Catholics alike. CCCSDC is a resource for needy families and individuals in Dutchess County, offering a wide array of free and professionally administered direct services to county residents at our main office in downtown Poughkeepsie and throughout the county

HYSB exists to strengthen the emotional health of youth and families in the Northwest Corner Community

We provide free behavioral health services and  empowerment programs in partnership with our public schools, local organizations, donors and volunteers.

Kelly brings more than 12 years of experience in youth development and education, crisis intervention, and non-profit management and development to the position. She is passionate about the need to make mental health services easily available to young people and their families, especially in these uncertain times, and values collaborative approaches that engage area schools, other mental health service providers, and HYSB volunteers and donors. Her multi-faceted experience and expertise will serve HYSB well as it continues to meet the mental health needs of youth and families in the Northwest Corner.

Kelly has a Master of Public Administration degree from Marist College, and dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Elementary Education and Women’s Studies, with a minor in psychology.

NCCC is devoted to enriching lives by meeting individual and community needs in a supportive environment, while facilitating access to lifelong learning opportunities.

Nursing

Associate in Science Degree

Along with federal, state, and local grant programmatic funding Geer Transportation coordinates and provides private transports for the Geer Village Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing Facility. Under my directorship, innovative routing software and on-board driver technology was selected and implemented. Geer Transportation is currently embarking on an expansion into an innovative form of regional micro transit program launching July 2021.

Stephen comes to us via Madison, Wisconsin. He has spent much of the past thirty years working on college campuses and with communities facilitating social justice and violence-prevention conversations. This experience includes twenty years volunteering with Men Stopping Rape, Inc., one of the nation’s first men’s anti-violence organizations, as well as professional experience working for the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault (WCASA), the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

VISION

We envision a world in which everyone can be themselves,
have healthy relationships, and live free of
interpersonal, relationship violence. 

MISSION

We create social change to end interpersonal, relationship violence by challenging attitudes and beliefs about power, control, and gender norms and by advocating for victims and survivors. 

HELP IS AVAILABLE:
FOR SUPPORT, ADVOCACY, REFERRALS
OR EMERGENCY SHELTER, CALL OUR
24 HOUR HOTLINE (860) 364-1900

The WSS Office is staffed Monday through Friday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm.
Please call (860) 364-1080 to speak with someone in the office.

Short-Term Rehab

Specializing in stroke recovery, joint replacement, neurological, pulmonary or cardiac care, and pain management. Learn More…

Assisted Living

Private, spacious rental apartments designed for residents who can continue living on their own but need some help with daily activities. Learn More…

Memory Care

It takes a special person to work with dementia patients, and Geer has a staff that is second to none. Learn More…

Outpatient Physical Therapy

Open to the public, as well as, individuals residing or participating in our programs and services. Learn More…

WHO WE ARE

Geer isn’t just a place for senior living or to receive care. It is a community gathering place for people from all over the Tri-State area. Located on 70+ acres in historic Canaan, Connecticut, Geer Village Senior Community is a non-profit organization and community of independent seniors, residents with infirmities, daily program participants, caregivers, families, staff, neighbors, volunteers, and friends. We feel that everything we do must be good enough for our own families, because the residents at Geer are like our family.

• About Us
• Our Team

CEO Community Health and Wellness Center

Torrington, Connecticut

Mission & Vision

Mission
Community Health & Wellness (CHWC) is committed to keeping communities healthy. In a compassionate, high-quality and patient-centered environment, services are accessible and provided without discrimination, with cultural competence, and where all people matter regardless of ability to pay. Through coalitions, advocacy and sound fiscal management, these services will be sustained over time.

Our Vision
CHWC will offer and continue to develop a range of healthcare services for the underserved throughout northwest Connecticut. It will achieve the reputation of provider of choice for affordable, high quality services that achieve positive patient outcomes. A welcoming and caring environment will be experienced by all patients and their families.

​An organizational culture will exist that attracts and retains skilled, dedicated employees. Sound fiscal management practices will ensure long-term viability. CHWC will collaborate and advocate with other organizations to increase the region’s capacity to meet health and wellness needs. 

“At the Healthcare Consortium, we like to say that we are ‘never the wrong door’ — we can always help.” — Claire Parde, Executive Director

Since 1998, the Healthcare Consortium has been working to improve access to healthcare and to support the health and well-being of the residents in its rural community, especially those with limited resources, the uninsured, and vulnerable populations such as the elderly and disabled. While the Consortium does not provide healthcare services directly, it does serve as a partner in health, helping people to get and stay healthy by addressing common barriers to accessing both health and human services.

Mrs. Garzetta is the Director of Grace Episcopal Church Latino/Immigrant Outreach (GLO/GIO) Millbrook, in Dutchess County, NY since 2008.  She works with immigrants living in the Northeast part of Dutchess County helping them to live healthy and productive lives in their community.  As part of this effort, she also chairs the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation Latino/Immigrant Outreach Roundtable Advisory Committee. Through her GLO/GIO labors there are ESL classes in Dover, Millbrook, Millerton, Pine Plains, Pleasant Valley, and Pawling. In 2014 she was one of the honorees at LA VOZ Ten Year Anniversary ‘Fiesta Celebration’.  In 2018 she is an Honoree for the Hispanic Heritage Community Service Award.

Grace Immigrant Outreach is incredibly grateful for the support that was given to us from many organizations including the Foundation for Community Health.

The stories have been the same everywhere during this worldwide health crisis, yet once it hits home, and in our case the clients which we support, it quickly becomes true reality. Your generosity was received with enthusiasm and gratefulness. This has allowed us to do many things for the immigrant community. There are many stories to tell but we have chosen to tell the ones about how people come together to assist those in need. Since COVID-19 began to exist in the Northeastern Dutchess area, the need for food has grown quickly and the amount of people who lost their jobs was upsetting to say the very least.

We have installed a modem that has been greatly beneficial in so many ways. We were able to assist and complete the 2020 Census forms for all the immigrants that came to pick up their food on distribution Fridays. We assisted over 250 people. At the completion of each 2020 Census computer session, we distributed a local grocery store gift card. We were able to hire two food distribution assistants. They pick-up food from Food of Life, deliver it to MESA (Mission Episcopal Santiago Apostal), pack bags of produce and then distribute. They disinfect after the distribution. They attend the giveaway area that consists of clothing, kitchenware, housewares, games, shoes, etc.

The Foundation for Community Health has awarded a $100,000 grant to the Webutuck Central School District (WCSD) for construction costs for the first full-service, school-based health center (SBHC) in our
community.

The aim is to establish the health center for the 2020/21 school year and to make it available to all students.
The SBHC will provide primary care health services, that include physical, mental and dental, to be delivered in school with no out-of-pocket cost. All the services will be available in the school setting with minimal missed educational time and without interrupting the schedules of parents or guardians. This is important in situations where both parents/guardians work, have restricted flexibility in time away from work
and/or have transportation challenges.

Research has shown that health is a keystone for both short-term and long-term student success. Poor attendance in kindergarten is associated with poor math and literacy skills in later grades and chronic absence by the 6th grade is a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school. The U.S. law governing K-12 public education policy, the Every Student Succeeds Act, states that “Students who have access to regular physical and mental health services have fewer absences, are more social, less likely to
participate in risky behaviors and have improved focus and higher test scores.”
SBHCs effectively remove cultural, financial, privacy and transportation related barriers typically experienced at traditional clinics while being linked to a variety of favorable health-related outcomes such as increased use of vaccinations and prevention services, reduced asthma morbidity, fewer emergency
department visits and hospital admissions, lower illegal substance use and alcohol consumption and reduced violence.

The Foundation for Community Health is confident that this will be a successful partnership between the Webutuck Central School District and Open Door Family Medical Centers, who will operate the health center. Open Door is a Federally Qualified Health Center with an expertise in full-service, school-based
health centers. They have created multiple SBHCs in the lower Hudson Valley region. These health centers have achieved significant reductions in chronic disease events that are responsible for repetitive student
absences and emergency room visits.

The program has the support of NYS Assemblymember Didi Barrett, NY State Senator Sue Serino, Congressman Antonio Delgado and Legislator Gregg Pulver.
The Foundation for Community Health is pleased to fund this effort that supports our work to improve the health and well-being of the residents in our communities. For additional information, contact Ray Castellani, WCSD Superintendent at raymond.castellani@webutuck.org or Lindsay Farrell, Open Door President and CEO at lfarrell@odfmc.org